A big thank you to Ros Yeoman for stepping up and delivering her presentation ‘Dust, Dinosaurs & Discovery via the Great Inland Way’ (although I think ‘Loo’ should have got a mention in there). What a terrific presentation that kept us all informed and well entertained. I think it has spiked my interest in discovering more of our great country.
As mentioned at the meeting our information stall at the Friday Farmer's Markets in Crown Street Mall was a great success with several genuine inquiries about Rotary Membership and certainly it promoted Rotary and our club to the many passer's-by. Thank you to Annette for organising the event and to the members who assisted in setting up and tending the stall. We plan on another in October this year.
Our preparation for our Charity Race Day on 12 September is starting to ramp up with 5 major sponsors now secured and hopefully more to come. It is now up to all our members to actively seek out additional potential sponsors, items for the silent auction or patrons to attend the day. Please advise if you need copies of our race day documentation and/or direct people to our website for links to flyers and where ticket booking can be made. We really need ever member's support to make this a successful day for our club and the organisations we are supporting.
Our next BBQ is at Bunnings Kembla Grange on 29 June 2026, the last one for this Rotary year. Volunteer registration is now open in ClubRunner. Alternatively, please email Rose to register if you are able to help out on the day.
Next week is our Club Changeover and Donation Presentation Dinner at The Builders Club, Wollongong. If you haven't done so, please advise if you are attending or otherwise. A reminder that we are now upstairs in ‘The Loft’ function room and NOT downstairs in 'The Basement'. Lift access is available near the Hennessy Cafe at the rear of the club.
Finally, it is hard to believe a year has almost passed by since becoming President of our club. I would like to thank all members for the support they have given me throughout the year. Another busy year, full of many ups and a few downs, but on the whole a very successful year for our club and the community we endeavour to support to the best of our ability. I look forward to welcoming our new President(s) and Board of Directors at next week's changeover.
Last Week’s Meeting Minutes:Scribe – Rita Giampieri
President Phil welcomed everyine to the meeting.
Rita’s reflection on the joys of travelling and the even greater joy of returning home to the familiarity, comfort, safety of family and friends.
Helen toasted the World Cup, the Socceroos and the Rotary Club of Vancouver: Vancouver being the venue for Australia’s first game against Turkiye.
Rose: - Thanked those that helped at the last BBQ which made about $1,200
- She asked if anyone is interested in volunteering for the City to Surf on 9 August. (It pays $100), or the Sydney Marathon on the30th August which pays $80.
- Mentioned the Social night on 3 June and said that it was a great night, great food and company.
Dennis said the Joker went off last Thursday, the 3rd time in 6 weeks. He thanked all those who support the night.
Ros gave a very interesting talk on her recent Aussie road trip. She called it Dust, Dinosaurs and Discovery via the Great Inland Way and regaled us with stories of amazing landscapes, charming outback towns and unique attractions and experiences.
Ros also updated us on the proposals for our international overseas project in Sri Lanka. The proposal to build small houses for families without shelter seems like a plausible, impactful project and is further being examined. The houses cost about $6000 and we could possibly contribute to 3 of them. The Rotary Club of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka is a good contact for this project and Ros is also thinking of going over to check things out. Ray suggested getting input from the two new Sri Lankan citizens that were at the citizenship ceremony.
President Phil: - The Information stall in the Crown Street Mall Farmer's Market was worthwhile, and he thanked all those that attended. Business cards were given out and there were some genuine enquiries about the club.
- The changeover will now be upstairs on the 24 June and at the moment we have 42 attending.
- Kerrie, Ros and Rose are working on Police Boys Citizen Awards. We have donated $1000 and will be judging candidates. We are also putting a table together to attend the ceremony.
- Race Day – Our gold sponsor this year is McGrath Real Estate. We have 4 Silver sponsors. So far, we have 158 people booked to attend but we need to get to 300. Your support is needed.
Due to an increase in the price of our pre-dinner wines, we have decided to increase the price of our meals to $35 starting from next Wednesday.
Our wine raffle winners were Helen Hasan and Rose Pope, pictured below with our esteemed Sergeant and terrible joke teller Pat Roberts.
The generous support of The Charles Hotel and it's Amazing Patrons enable us to fund-raise, via our Thursday Night Jag the Joker and Friday Night Meat Raffles, in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation
Monetary Grants from the IMB Bank Community Foundation allow us to conduct the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program throughout the year at Kembla Grange Racecourse.
Aimed at students in years 10-12, students attend 6 sessions focusing on the various areas of Road Safety.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation helps build better, brighter communities.
Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange
The generous support of the Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange BBQ Program allows us to fund-raise in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
In addition, Bunnings donate equipment and vouchers in support of our other fund-raising initiatives.
